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Brigade Game Notes

April 17, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Rochester Brigade (1-1) vs.
Mohegan Wolves (1-1)
Date: April 19, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Blue Cross Arena (11,200)
National Anthem: Scott Kelly
Coin Toss: TBD
Officials: Ed Ardito, Referee
Wayne Mackie, Umpire
James Czajkowski, Head Linesman
James DeBell, Line Judge
James Quirk, Back Judge
Radio: WYSL 1040 AM
JC DeLass, play-by-play commentator
John DiTullio, color commentator
Series Record: 0-0
Last Meeting: NA
Streaks: Rochester is on a one-game losing streak. Mohegan has a one-game winning streak.
Coaches: Mark Saunders (5-13, 2nd)
Gary Porter (1-1, 1st)

THE STAKES:

This game is for second place in the Northeast Division, as both teams are currently 1-1 early in the season. The Brigade will be ending a three game home stretch before heading on the road, April 27. Of the three meetings between the Brigade and the Wolves this season, this will be the only encounter on home turf, as Rochester will head to Mohegan on May 17 and July 19.

HEAD COACHES:

In just his second season as the Brigade's Head Coach, Mark Saunders has a 5-13 record. Saunders is currently currently 1-1 this season and on a one-game losing streak after a disappointing loss last weekend. This season, Saunders looks to improve upon that record, and make a mark in the newly formed Northeast division.

Mohegan Wolves Head Coach, Gary Porter began his professional coaching career with the Peoria Pirates in their inaugural season of af2 competition. Porter led the Pirates to a fourth place finish in the Midwest Division and a 7-9 record. He is in his second season of coaching, and his first with the Wolves.

THE IFs:

If the Brigade defeats the Wolves, it would ...
· Give the Brigade sole possession of second place
· Give the Brigade a 1-0 series lead
· Give Mark Saunders a 6-13 all-time record
· Give the Brigade a 2-1 record at home in 2002
· End the one-game losing streak

THE SERIES:

This is the first of three meetings between the Brigade and the Wolves this season. Friday, April 19, is the only game of the three-game series that will be played in Rochester. The Brigade will travel to Mohegan for the remaining two games on Friday, May 17, and Friday, July 19 to close the regular season. These are important games for the Brigade, as they will be battling for one of the two playoff-spots in the division.

SERIES NOTABLES:

Players to watch for this week are OS Martino Theus, who currently has five touchdowns on the season and is leading the Brigade offense. Last week Theus caught eight passes for 103 yards, registered two touchdowns and returned one missed field goal for 16 yards. Defensively, watch for DS Vonkeith Spencer who leads the Brigade in tackles this season with ten (7 solo) and has two interceptions. Spencer was also named the ADT Defensive Player of the game in his first game with the Brigade.

Notable players for the Wolves include QB Cable Davis, who completed 19 out of 31 passes with four touchdowns and 211 yards last week in a 47-29 victory over the Norfolk Nighthawks. OS Brandon Burnside earned MVP honors last week, catching one touchdown pass and returning a 56-yard kickoff for a touchdown late in the third quarter for the Wolves.

MILESTONES:

· Quarterback Matt D'Orazio set the Brigade's single game rushing record with 38 total yards rushing last week against the Conquest.

· Brigade plays a record, three consecutive home games to begin the 2002 season.

· The Mohegan Wolves will make their first visit to the Blue Cross Arena.

· The Wolves won their first game in franchise history last week 47-29 against the Norfolk Nighthawks.

FAMILIAR FACES:

This week the Brigade will be acquainted with two players from last season's team including OL/DL Pete Govens and Kicker Charles Eger. This season, Govens has 1.5 tackles and one sack in his first game. Eger is 5-7 on extra points.

LAST SERIES MEETING:

As part of the reorganization of the Northeast division, the Brigade and the Wolves will be meeting for the first time ever. Overall, these two teams will meet three times throughout the regular 2002 season.

DROPBACK:

Last week, the Brigade lost their first game of the 2002 season 42-36 against the Albany Conquest, surrendering the "NYS Lottery af2 Cup". The Brigade faced a penalty filled game, as they took nine penalties for 59 yards and registered 3 turnovers on the night. In the second half, Albany replaced starting QB John Krueger with backup Ryan Vena. Vena led the Conquest offense to five touchdowns on six possessions to overtake the Brigade and come away with the victory. Albany takes a 1-0 series lead and claims first place in the division.

FORWARD MOTION:

Next week, the Brigade will look for revenge as they head east on the I-90 to face the Albany Conquest for the second time this season. Albany took the first game of the series and walked away with the "NYS Lottery af2 Cup." The game on April 27, will be a key match-up for the Brigade early in the season, as they will look to even the series record to a game a-piece and inch closer to the divisional lead.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Penalties, Penalties, Penalties:
On the season, the Brigade is ranked 31st in penalties in the league taking 22 for 141 yards and averaging 70.5 a game. Last week the Brigade managed to take nine penalties for 59 yards, and took 13 penalties for 82 yards in week one against New Haven. The team is also ranked 17th in opponent penalties with 16 for 79 yards and an average of 39.5.

Money in the Red Zone:
The Brigade is currently ranked second in the league in Red Zone efficiency. After playing two games this season, the Brigade offense is a perfect 7 for 7. Of the seven touchdowns in the Red Zone, five are rushing and two are by pass.

Rushing it In:
The Brigade is currently ranked third in the league in Rushing Offense, averaging 57 yards per game. They have gained 114 yards off of 31 attempts, with five touchdowns. The Brigade has a variety of weapons in the rushing attack, including FB Anthony Cleary who has two rushing TDs on the season, WR Aaron Fix who also has two rushing TDs on the season and QB Matt D'Orazio who has one rushing TD on the season.

Home on the Range:
The Rochester Brigade kicked off their 2002 season with a three game home stretch, of which they are currently 1-1. Of the three games, all are against divisional opponents, making each and every one crucial. This week's home game against the Mohegan Wolves marks their only visit to Rochester during the 2002 regular season. After the Brigade goes on the road for one game, they will return to Rochester to play another back-to-back home series stretch against divisional opponents.

Rushing Record Broken by D'Orazio:
FB/LB Anthony Cleary set the rushing bar in the Brigade's first game of the season; however, that mark didn't stand for long. QB Matt D'Orazio rushed the ball seven times last week and set the bar even higher, accumulating 38 yards on the ground and rushing in one touchdown.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Brigade OS Martino Theus:
Theus, has proven to be the go to guy on offense this season as he is the team leader with 15 receptions for 200 yards and five touchdowns. Last week, Theus caught eight passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns to lead all Brigade receivers.

Wolves DS Heron O'Neal:
After spending last season with the Milwaukee Mustangs of the AFL, O'Neal is the experienced veteran for the Wolves this season. In two games, the defensive specialist has 5.5 tackles (5 solo) including one for a loss of 33 yards. He also has three passes defended and one interception.

Wolves OS Brandon Burnside:
Last week, Burnside earned MVP honors catching seven passes for 63 yards and one touchdown as a receiver. Burnside also returned two kickoffs for 77 yards including a 56-yard return for a touchdown. On the season, he has nine catches for 121 yards, two touchdowns and seven returned kickoffs for 195 yards and one touchdown

Brigade DS Vonkeith Spencer:
In his first two games this season, defensive specialist Spencer has proven to be a threat on the defensive side of the ball. He currently leads the team with two interceptions and nine tackles, of which seven are solo. Spencer also registered one forced fumble last week and has four passes defended on the season.

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:

· Last weekend marked the most games ever played in one night for the arenafootball2 league with 13. Games were played from coast to coast, as another season of af2 was successfully set under way.

· Saturday, April 6, marked the second season of action in the arenafootball2 league for the Rochester Brigade, as they opened up the 2002 season with a key victory over the New Haven ninjas; the first time the Brigade ever registered 61 points in a single contest.



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